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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Genre: Literary Criticism / Essays / Nonfiction / Sri Lankan English Literature

Book Review:
Twentieth Century Classics by Rajiva Wijesinha is a collection of 51 essays on leading English prose writers of the 20th century, originally published as a weekly column in Sri Lanka's The Island newspaper. Wijesinha, an Emeritus Professor of Languages and current Member of Parliament in Sri Lanka, examines writers whose works best claim the 'classic' hallmark. Each essay illuminates not only the writer's literary concerns and themes but also the society they described, its changes, and its moral perspectives. With an eloquent foreword by Yasmine Gooneratne praising Wijesinha as an ''erudite and trustworthy guide,'' this book is an invaluable resource for students, teachers, and general readers seeking a lucid, insightful introduction to 20th century English literature.